Land use was studied in Santa Bárbara D'Oeste,SP in an area of 14,625 ha. Two land use mappings were made using pancromatic aerial photographs (date 25/6/78), in a scale of 1:35,000 and orbital images from LANDSAT-5 satellite (date 12/8/91) in a scale 1:100,000, at bands 3, 4 and 5 and color composition 3/4/5. Interpretation keys for aerial photos and orbital images were established to assist map making. For land use identification photos presented more details. On the other hand, orbital images at band 3 and color composition 3/4/5 were more efficient in relation to the other bands. Sugar cane crop area did not change in the studied period (1978-1991), forest and pasture areas had a reduction and urban areas increased. Using the land capability classification, most of the studied area feU in class IV: land more appropriate for pasture or perennial crops like sugar cane, with the need of intensive conservation managements technics, with agricultural practices based on high technological levels.
land use mapping; aerial photos; orbital images